Thanks to a 5-0 victory over Tampa on Tuesday, the Yankees can clinch a playoff spot later today if they earn a split of their doubleheader with Tampa. They could also clinch the AL East crown with a sweep in the doubleheader and a Boston loss.
Tuesday's win came with a clutch hit and some good pitching from Ivan Nova. Curtis Granderson hit a bases-clearing double in the 2nd to turn a 1-0 game into a 4-0 one. New York cruised from there with Nova pitching into the 8th inning and only allowing 9 baserunners over 7.2 innings. Boone Logan and Luis Ayala combined to get the final four outs of the game.
Mike Pelfrey couldn't hold the leads he was given and the Cardinals used a six-run 7th to bust the game open. Angel Pagan had three hits and six different Mets, including Pelfrey drove in a run, but it wasn't enough as St. Louis won 11-6. Pelfrey gave up five runs in six innings, but Josh Stinson took the loss. New York will now finish no better than .500 for the season.
